Ocean Tides

Front

What are tides?

Back

The rising and falling of the water on the earth's surface.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans.

Front

What is a high tide?

Back

A high tide is when the water level is at its highest point.

Front

What is a low tide?

Back

A low tide is when the water level is at its lowest point.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the moon is at a right angle to the sun, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

When do spring tides occur?

Back

Spring tides occur during the full moon and new moon phases.

Front

When do neap tides occur?

Back

Neap tides occur during the first and third quarter moon phases.

Front

What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?

Back

Spring tides have a greater difference between high and low tides, while neap tides have a smaller difference.

Front

How often do tides occur?

Back

Tides typically occur twice a day, with two high tides and two low tides.